Vol. 492 No. 6
10 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on whether, when the RTE licence relating to the use of the long wave 252 frequency which expires in March 1999, a different use could be made of it in the national interest, for example, to broadcast a mix of the best of all Irish radio to people in Britain of Irish birth or descent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14568/98]
20 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she will make to Government to enable a company (details supplied) to become an asset of RTE in the event of an opportunity arising for its purchase and reintegration into the national broadcasting infrastructure. [14538/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 20 together.
I refer the Deputies to the reply given by the then Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Question No. 255 on 27 February 1996. I understand that the licence in respect of Atlantic 252, which forms part of the RTE licence, expires in 1999. The issue of a licence to RTE in respect of the transmitters it operates and the frequencies it uses is a matter for the Director of Telecommunications Regulation.
I have no plans to seek to change the nature of the service currently provided by Atlantic 252. I have not received any proposal from RTE to increase its stake in the station and I have no function with regard to the plans of the majority shareholder in the station.
Given that there is an opportunity now with the licence coming up for renewal in 1999, does the Minister have a view as to the benefits of the proposal that there might be a station? It would certainly be in the national interest, particularly in view of the British-Irish Agreement and the change which has been accepted by the Irish people in relation to the definition of the Irish nation. Will she express a view on the advisability of this approach?
Will she inform the House whether any restrictions or guarantees have been given to the company, CLT, which would prevent such a proposition if RTE came forward with it?
As I said in my initial reply, I have no plans at present to seek a change in the nature of the service currently provided by Atlantic 252. That is based on the fact that I have not received a proposal from RTE to increase its stake. That is the current position.
If the Minister received a proposal from RTE for permission to reacquire a more significant shareholding from CLT when the franchise is put up for sale, would it be proposed to accede to such a request?
Yesterday the Minister acknowledged, in a reply during our discussion at the Select Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language, that the long wave allocation in frequency is a rare resource compared to other allocations in frequency. Therefore, would it not be in the national interest, in terms of what would be freed up in the other frequencies, if the opportunity was taken to reintegrate this infrastructure into the national broadcasting infrastructure?
I would certainly consider any proposal in the light of information available to me. Until I receive such a proposal, I am not in a position to comment one way or the other.
The use of the frequency was mentioned by Deputy Higgins and there was a brief reference to it at yesterday's consideration of the Revised Estimate in committee. The use of the frequency in the manner suggested by Deputy Rabbitte in his question would have serious economic consequences for the staff of the station and, to some extent, on the Trim area. In addition, questions of how to fund the service envisaged by Deputy Rabbitte would also need to be addressed.
I asked a question, which the Minister may not have had a chance to answer, about whether any guarantees were given by Ministers, particularly at the time of the allocation of the licence in 1989. Were any guarantees given then or since by any Minister which would have an impact on the possibility of this alternative option becoming a reality?
I do not have that information to hand, but I can get it and send it to the Deputy.
In her considerations should an application arrive on her desk, will the Minister take into account that at the time RTE divested itself of the shareholding, the operation was recording a loss and that it is now making a profit?
I am aware of that. If any such proposal should arrive on my desk, it will be given due consideration.
